12/27/2023
OAPA Newsletter - December 2023
In this Issue:
- Wound Webinar: Now Available On-Demand!
- OAPA Working for You: Financial 101
- Let’s Learn More in 2024!
- Student Research: Teresa D’Alessandro, PA-C, Asks “Are Physician Assistants In Their Second Career Satisfied?”
- Op-Ed: OAPA Region 7 Director, Anu Mathur, MS, PA-C, on Taking the Lead in PA Education
- What’s Happening in 2024?
- Update on OAPA’s Political Action Committee
- PA Program Spotlight: University of Mount Union
- PA Program Spotlight: Ursuline College
- Your Image Here: Seeking OAPA Members to Spotlight
During a free virtual event on November 17 entitled “Wound Webinar: Holiday Edition”, OAPA members working in myriad practice settings gained useful knowledge needed to effectively treat burns and wounds of all kinds.
We are pleased to announce that OAPA member and webinar instructor Adrienne DeVault-Mazak, PA-C has agreed to post this webinar for complimentary on-demand viewing for OAPA members.
OAPA Working for You: Financial 101
“OAPA Working for You” is a new column highlighting important behind-the-scenes activities that OAPA committees and leaders do to support members and promote the PA community. We have covered the Government Affairs Committee and the Reimbursement Committee. This month, we share news about OAPA's finances.
There’s a common saying that “nonprofit is a tax status, not a business model,” and here at OAPA, we understand that. This month’s column gives a behind the scenes look at OAPA’s financial activities and seeks to help members learn more about OAPA’s structure and goals.
Let’s Learn More in 2024!
You know OAPA’s flagship in-person events - our Pharmacology Conference and our Annual Conference - but one of our New Year’s Resolutions is to expand our virtual educational offerings for members.
Will you help us to identify the topics of most interest to explore?
Please use this brief 1-2 minute survey to tell us what you need to know to be a better PA in 2024.
Student Research: Teresa D’Alessandro, PA-C, Asks “Are Physician Assistants In Their Second Career Satisfied?”
This 2023 study examined job satisfaction among second-career Physician Assistants (PAs). The research found that 80% of PAs in their second career reported being satisfied, supporting the hypothesis. Income and job meaningfulness were key factors, while 4% cited organizational politics as a source of dissatisfaction. Read on for the full study.
Op-Ed: OAPA Region 7 Director, Anu Mathur, MS, PA-C, on Why PAs Should Pay it Forward: A Call for Physician Assistants to Take the Lead in PA Education
As PAs, we owe much of our success to the invaluable mentorship we received early in our careers. The guidance of experienced preceptors allowed us to spread our wings, gain confidence in our clinical decision-making, and ultimately become the skilled healthcare professionals we are today. This guidance is just as important for the next generation of PAs, but PA programs across Ohio are facing a significant shortage of dedicated and involved preceptors. Consider Mathur's case for PA precepting, and why PAs should pay it forward.
What’s Happening in 2024?
Stay apprised of OAPA happenings by keeping an eye on our Events Calendar. First up in the new year - our quarterly OAPA Board of Directors meeting on January 13. Contact oapa@ohiopa.com for information about this meeting or any other OAPA events.
Update on OAPA’s Political Action Committee
Transparency is foundational when it comes to associations like OAPA and our relationship with you, our valued members. As such, we wanted to let you know of a recent development with OAPA’s Political Action Committee (PAC). This fall, OAPA became aware of a small, but long-standing, discrepancy between the fund balance on hand as reported in the OAPA PAC's campaign finance reports and the actual balance of funds in the OAPA PAC's bank account.
After an extensive internal document review and ongoing consultation with legal counsel, OAPA submitted amended filings to correct prior campaign finance reporting errors and elected to make a self-referral to the Ohio Election Commission. The commission took up our matter in their December 14 meeting, imposing a minor $100 fine for the error but granting our request for an adjustment for the balance on hand of the OAPA PAC to be equal to the actual cash on hand balance of the OAPA PAC's bank account.
We are committed to ensuring the accuracy of future campaign finance reporting for the benefit of our generous PAC contributors and the general public.
PA Program Spotlight: University of Mount Union
The University of Mount Union Physician Assistant Program was accredited in 2008 and has since educated 425 knowledgeable and compassionate graduates. This past July, the program awarded 39 students with white coats in preparation for the clinical year. In addition, 38 students graduated from the program with the Class of 2023 attaining a 97% PANCE pass rate. Read the full profile for more about these students, their program, and their tradition of medical service trips.
PA Program Spotlight: Ursuline College
The Ursuline College PA Program, led by Dr. Ryan Adler, welcomed its first cohort in January of 2023. This class formed strong bonds together while volunteering with community groups and completing several interprofessional experiences with nursing and pharmacy students. This month, the program awarded 29 students with their white coats, who eagerly wait to begin their first clinical rotation in January. Read the full profile for firsthand accounts of this exciting start to Ursuline College's program!.
Your Image Here: Seeking OAPA Members to Spotlight
This monthly newsletter is for all in the OAPA membership community. As such, we want to tell the stories of our members, from students to retirees, from the operating room to the classroom, and from every corner of the great state of Ohio.
Do you know a PA who deserves the spotlight? Maybe that person is you!
We invite you to submit members for consideration to be the subject of a spotlight story in a future OAPA newsletter. Don't be shy - send us your ideas so we can spread the word about the great work that PAs do!
With your membership commitment, we will continue to advocate and advance the PA profession. Thank you for supporting OAPA!
Please Note: The OAPA office will have reduced availability between January 23-February 2. Phone calls are generally answered 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Mon-Fri, or you may leave a voicemail. Email is always welcome at oapa@ohiopa.com and will be addressed as quickly as possible.